Okinawa Whale Watching - Chatan Naha Whale Watching Cruise - Okinawa Winter Exclusive [Free Pickup from Designated Naha City Hotels]

Itinerary

Depart from Naha (Free pick-up and drop-off at hotels in Naha city)

Meeting time: 08:30/13:00

Departure Time: 09:00/13:30 1. Meet at Naha Miejo Port 2. Pickup from Naha city hotels Depart from the port to search for whales

Return to port time: 12:00/16:30 1. Return to the port for dismissal 2. Return to the meeting point

Departure from Chatan (Facility usage fee required, 300 JPY per person from 0 years old, please pay on-site)

Meeting time: 08:30/13:00 at the Chatan Town Marine Industry Promotion Center

Departure Time: 09:00/13:30 Depart from the port for whale watching

Return to port time: 12:00/16:30 Return to port for disembarkation

*The itinerary schedule may be subject to changes and adjustments due to weather conditions, and will be finalized based on the actual arrangements of the day.

Friendly reminder

1. If whales are spotted early, the boat may return to port ahead of schedule.

2. Please bring your own raincoat or purchase one on-site for approximately 300 yen.

3. Guests who are prone to seasickness are advised to take motion sickness medication in advance, as it is not available for purchase on-site.

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Departing from Naha: Boat fare/life jacket/digital photos/whale watching guide (digital version)/designated pick-up and drop-off locations within Naha city

Naha Departure + Anti-Seasickness: Boat fare / life jacket / digital photos / whale guide booklet (digital version) / pick-up and drop-off at designated locations within Naha city / seasickness wristband / seasickness "magic glasses" / raincoat

Departing from Chatan: Boat fee/life jacket

Age Policy

Departing from Naha: Adult: 12+ yrs; Child: 3–11 yrs

Infants aged 0-2, pregnant women, and intoxicated individuals are not permitted to participate. We appreciate your understanding.

Departing from Chatan: Adult: 12+ yrs; Child: 3–11 yrs; Infant: 0–2 yrs. Please contact customer support to pay the difference of 139 CNY per infant.

Pregnant women and individuals who have consumed alcohol are not permitted to participate. In case of poor sea conditions, young children may also be denied boarding, with no refunds or compensation provided. We appreciate your understanding.

Instructions for use

1. After successful booking, we will send an e-voucher to the email address you provided. Please check your inbox.

2. Please present the e-voucher to participate in the activity on the day of your visit.

*Some email providers may block messages. If you don't see the email in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you still can't find it, please contact customer support promptly.

Pick-up meeting point & time from Naha

Pick-up Route A:

08:00 AM/12:40 PM FamilyMart Saion Square Address: 2-1-1 Asato, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture

08:05 AM/12:45 PM Tenpusu Naha (Calbee+ Okinawa Kokusai Street Branch) Address: 3-2-2 Makishi, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture

08:10 AM/12:50 PM Hotel Collective (HOTEL COLLECTIVE) Address: 2-5-7 Matsuo, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture

08:20 AM/01:00 PM Lawson Kariyushi LCH Izumizaki Address: 1-11-8 Izumizaki 1-chome, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture

08:30 AM/01:10 PM DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Naha Address: 3-15 Higashimachi, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture

Pick-up Route B:

08:00 AM/12:40 PM APA Hotel Naha Matsuyama Address: 1-4-16 Matsuyama, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture

08:05 AM/12:45 PM Prince Smart Inn Naha Address: 2-4-13 Matsuyama, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture

08:10 AM/12:50 PM Hotel Aqua Citta Naha Address: 3-2-20 Maeshima, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture

08:20 AM/01:00 PM Nest Hotel Naha Nishi Address: 1-20-19 Nishi, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture

08:25 AM/01:05 PM LOISIR HOTEL NAHA (Loisir Hotel Naha Okinawa) Address: 3-2-1 Nishi, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture

08:30 AM/01:10 PM Hotel SANSUI (HOTEL SANSUI NAHA Ryukyu Onsen Naminoue no Yu) Address: 2-25-1 Tsuji, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture

Meeting Point

Meeting Point 1: Naha Miejo Port

Meeting point: 3-20 Nishi, Naha City

Morning meeting time: 8:30; Departure time: 9:00. Afternoon meeting time: 13:00; Departure time: 13:30

Transportation method: Get off at the monorail "Asahibashi Station" or "Naha Asahibashi Bus Terminal" and take a taxi for about 12 min.

After entering the port, please look for the blue "NEWS" flagpole and gather at the flagpole for check-in.

Please arrive at the designated meeting point at least 30 minutes early. Late arrivals or no-shows will be considered as forfeiting the tour, with no refunds or rescheduling available.

Meeting point ②: Meet at the Urasoe City Marine Industry Promotion Center

Meeting address: 54-54 Mihama, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa/Map Code: 33 555 083*36

Morning meeting time: 8:30; Departure time: 9:00. Afternoon meeting time: 13:00; Departure time: 13:30

Please arrive at the designated meeting point at least 30 minutes early. Late arrivals or no-shows will be considered as forfeiting the tour, with no refunds or rescheduling available.

FAQ

1. Is there any difference in whale watching success rates between the morning session and other time slots? Or does rainy weather affect the chances of whale watching?

The chance of spotting whales does not change with different time slots or rainy weather. Based on years of team experience, whales can be seen almost every day in most cases. However, there are still a few days when encounters may not occur due to the expansion of whale activity ranges or changes in their behavioral patterns.

2. What to do if no whales are spotted on the day of the trip?

[Departing from Naha]: Full refund available for bookings from February 1 to March 19, 2026; no refunds or rescheduling if whales are not sighted during December 20, 2025 to January 31, 2026 and March 20 to April 5, 2026.

Depart from Chatan:

① Choose to participate again at a later date (until April 5, 2026)

② Full refund (Eligible for full refund from 2/1/2026 to 3/15/2026; Non-refundable periods: 12/20/2025-1/31/2026 and 3/16/2026-4/5/2026)

3. What conditions must be met to be considered a successful whale watching experience?

① Saw whales spouting water from afar;

② If two or more guests spot whales on the same day, the final determination will be made by the boat crew.

4. What should I do if it rains?

If the rain does not make ferry operations difficult, departures will proceed as scheduled even on rainy days. If passengers choose to cancel due to rainy weather, cancellation fees will be charged according to the regulations.

What should I prepare for whale watching?

Motion sickness pills, telescope, towel, windproof and cold-resistant jacket, non-slip sports shoes, anti-slip camera strap.

Itinerary Overview

From mid-December to early April each year, humpback whales visit the waters around Okinawa's Kerama Islands, with 300 to 500 whales arriving during their breeding season.

Whale Watching Tips

Blow: To breathe, it surfaces and exhales, creating a white mist-like water spout that can reach 3 to 5 meters high.

Breach: The whale leaps, lifting two-thirds of its body out of the water while simultaneously spinning and turning. It's a truly spectacular sight!

Pec Slap: The whale turns sideways, lifts its pectoral fins out of the water and slaps them against the waves, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

Peduncle Slap: The whale lifts the rear half of its body out of the water and slaps it horizontally onto the surface (or onto another whale), commonly seen during courtship.

[Anti-Motion Sickness Essential] *Naha departure packages only

Magic glasses reduce motion sickness by displaying the correct horizon at the edge of your vision, paired with anti-nausea wristbands to ensure a comfortable journey.